English

Noun

water rat ‎(plural water rats)

1. (US) Any of various rodents from Florida and southern Georgia, especially Neofiber alleni; the muskrat.
   • 2004, James McConnachie, Rough Guide to the Loire, page 43,

     Otters are even harder to spot; the coypu, a North American water rat, is more commonly seen.

2. (Australia) The rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster.
3. (informal) The European water vole, Arvicola amphibius, formerly Arvicola terrestris.
4. (US, slang) A petty thief or waterfront ruffian.
5. (slang) A person fond of water sports.
6. (slang, Australia) A member of the water police.

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